Check out counter



Jan. 29, 1963 w. M. SHOFFNER CHECK OUT COUNTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 8, 1957 R. R m m W F m v 0 WW B m w r M M w m I. Y R B w M Ill in g m B n m 3 6 3 5 & 5 u i i 2 M 7 m 7% a AAA ma .H

ATTORNEYS Jan. 29, 1963 w. M. SHOFLFNER 3,075,616

CHECK OUT COUNTER ATTORN EYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,075,616 CHECK OUT CDUNTER Willie M. Shofiner, Dayton, Ghio, assignor to The Fogarty Manufacturing Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application Apr. 8, 1957, Ser. No. 651,491. Di-

vided and this application May 26, 1961, Ser. No.

4 Claims. (Cl. 186-1) This invention pertains to check out counters and more particularly to a check out counter of the type used in article checking lines such as found in retail stores. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 651,491, filed April 8, 1957, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

The check out counter of this invention includes an elongated support structure which contains an endless conveyor. One end of the conveyor is arranged to discharge onto a generally circular table portion of the check out counter, which comprises a station for the septa rating, collecting, and/or bagging of the items moved by the conveyor. The table includes a shelf which comprises an upper surface thereof and which is preferably provided with a rotary support so that the conveyed items, such as groceries, may be carried on the shelf surface away from the discharge end of the conveyor.

It is important that such a rotary table be designed in a manner so as to support loads placed thereon without objectionable deflections or tilting. It is also important that the structure have a high resistance to deflection to support heavy and unbalanced loads which are placed adjacent the peripheral extent thereof.

A further requirement of such check out counters is that the bagging table shelf be provided with a close running fit with an annular retaining wall member so that small or thin packages or items are retained without crushing or loss. It is therefore important that the structure be light in weight and yet have sufficient strength against bending and deflecting loads so as to maintain a close running clearance with a suitable annular sealing member.

The above desirable objects and characteristics are met and attained by the counter of this invention which includes a bagging table of such construction that the peripheral shelf edge thereof is in raised elevation under stress in relation to its center. This is accomplished by suitably fixing the material of the shelf to conform to the slope of a plurality of arms which are suitably secured to a center plate in inclined relation thereto.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a check out counter as outlined above having a rotary bagging table constructed with a high degree of resistance to deflection.

A further object of this invention is to provide a check out counter as outlined above having a bagging table wherein the peripheral edges thereof are formed in stressed elevated relation to the table center.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check out counter as outlined above having a rotary bagging table characterized by light weight, and strength wherein the sheet material of the surface has been formed into a stressed structure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check out counter constructed according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the bagging table portion of the counter taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bagging table portion,

3,075,616 Patented Jan. 29, 1963 with the shelf thereof being partially broken away to expose the internal details;

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary section of the retaining wall and seal taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional detail of the bearing support for the rotatable shelf of the bagging table; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the table bottom showing the relation of the reinforcing support plate and the supporting arms.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment, a check out counter constructed according to this invention is shown in FIG. 1 as including an elongated support structure 10 and a bagging table portion 12 formed at one end of the structure 16 The support structure 10 is supported at its inner end at the table portion 12, and by a wide leg 13 at its opposite end. The structure 10 further includes an endless conveyor 14 having an upper flight position substantially along the longitudinal extent thereof closely adjacent the top of the counter.

The conveyor 14 is arranged to deliver groceries and similar articles from a loading station at the far end thereof to a discharge station at the near end thereof adjacent the bagging table. The conveyor 14 may be provided with a restrictor plate 15 and a suitable dead pan 18, as may be desired, for the purpose of and the channeling of the items and the control of the conveyor. The restrictor plate 15 further provides a space for the placing of handbags or automatic change makers,

as convenient. The discharge end of the belt 14 is coterminous with an inclined ramp plate 19 leading therefrom onto the surface of the bagging table.

The bagging table portion 10' of the check out counter is generally circular in configuration and includes a plurality of support legs 29, preferably three in number and equally spaced. Supported on the legs is a lower shelf 25 having a downwardly turned edge 26, and may be used for the convenience of storing bags and the like. Spaced from the lower shelf 25 is an intermediate shelf 2-3 which is also formed with a downwardly turned edge. The shelves 25 and 28 are supported on a plurality of peripherally spaced rods 30 which are shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Hollow sleeves 31 positioned over the rods provides support for the shelf 28. Suitable decorative panels 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may be secured to the sleeves 31 and tubular decorative members 33 may enclose the combined rods 3t) and sleeves 31.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the intermediate shelf 28 may be provided with depending brackets 34 which receive sliding bagging shelves 35 and 36. The shelf 36 can be withdrawn from its bracket 34 in two directions Whereas the shelf 35 can be withdrawn only outwardly from the table portion 12 since it is aligned with the supporting structure 10.

Means for supporting a rotary bagging table structure includes a generally hollow standard 40 which has a flanged lower end 41 centrally attached to the surface of the lower shelf 25 by bolts 42. The standard 40 extends upwardly through -the intermediate shelf 28 and is provided with a further flange 36 at the level of this shelf and is mounted thereto by bolts 47.

A vertically extending shaft 50 has its lower end secured within the standard 40 (FIG. 5) by means of a lock screw 51 and supports a bearing plate 52 intermediate its lower and upper ends by means of a set screw 53. The portion of the shaft 50 which extends above the bearing plate 52 carries a pair of spaced bearings 55, as shown in FIG. 5. The outer races of the bearings 55 are mounted within a tubular bearing housing 56 and this housing is, in turn, secured by welds 57 to a polygonal reinforcing plate 58, as is best shown in FIG. 6.

The plate 58 comprises a reinforcing support plate for the mounting and the support of a generally circular shelf indicated at 60 in FIGS. 1 and 2. A shelf 60 preferably comprises a generally circular plate-like bottom body portion 61 constructed of steel with a stainless steel surface plate 62 intimately secured thereto providing a pleasing appearance and a long wearing surface for receiving articles. The body plate 61 is formed with a downwardly turned peripheral outer flange 63. It will be noted that the upper end of the shaft 50 extends beyond the upper bearing 55 and terminates adjacent the lower surface of the stainless steel plate 62.

The reinforcing plate 58 is preferably of generally hexagonal shape, as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of shelf supporting arms 64 formed of angle iron, are arranged in outwardly extending relation with the back against the flat sides of the plate 58 and are suitably secured thereto as by welding. The inner ends of the arms 64 are cut at an acute angle so as to conform to the surface and abut against the adjacent surface of the arm immediately behind it. The arms 64 are attached to the sides of the plate 58 with an upward inclination therefrom when viewed from the side, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, and present fiat upper surfaces for the attachment of the shelf 60.

The shelf 60 is fixed to the arms in conformity therewith by spot welds 65 (FIG. 6). Therefore, the shelf 60 is dished or slightly depressed at its center and the outer peripheral portion is elevated slightly. The shelf 60 is made to conform to the inclined surfaces of the several arms 64 by being forced down against the plate 48 and the arms 64 prior to welding. This construction therefore results in the stressed elevation of the periphery of the shelf 60 with respect to its center for the support of groceries received from the conveyor 14 at the periphe'ry thereof without deflection.

The table portion 12 further includes means defining a relatively fixed circumferential band extending above the surface of the shelf 60 at the flange 63 forming a seal therewith for the retention of articles on the shelf. This circumferential band means is supported on the upper ends of the rods 30 and spaced on the tubes 31, as shown in FIG. 4, and includes an annular wall 70 surrounding the outer edge of the shelf 60 in spaced relation thereto with a preformed mold strip 71, preferably made of elastomeric material, mounted on the upper edge thereof. The strip 71 has a buffer portion 72 of esesntially circula'r' cross section and a downwardly extending buffer 73 which has a sealing ring 74 on the lower end thereof to close the space between the outer edge of shelf 60 and the inner surface of band 70 and form a running seal therewith. The band 70 may have a corrugated trim panel 75 attached to the outer surface thereof to present a more pleasing exterior appearance. An annular reinforcing member 76 of channel shape in section is attached to the inner surface of band 70 and is supported on the upper ends of the extending rods 30.

It is therefore seen that the shelf arrangement of this invention in combination with the check out counter provides a lightweight construction which is high in strength. In operation, the groceries or other items may be placed upon the loading station end of the conveyor 14. The operator is provided with suitable controls such as a floor switch 90 and a wallswitch 91 by means of which the movement of the material is controlled past a suitable checking station, and delivered onto the surface of the shelf 60. The rotating table comprising the shelf 60 may be motor driven, if desired, and a suitable arrangement for this purpose consists of a drive motor (not shown) with a rubber drive wheel engaging the inner surface of the peripheral flange 63. On the other hand, a suitable arrangement is to permit the shelf 60 to be free turning on the post 50. It is also within the scope of this invention .to fixedly mount the shelf 60 at the post 50 although the advantages of the shelf construction are not utilized to the fullest extent under such circumstances.

The stressed elevation of the periphery of the shelf 60 in relation to its center by means of its mounting on the inclined arms 64 and plate 58 provide a table structure which has a high degree of resistance to deflection and bending by reason of unequal or uneven loads. Accordingly, the shelf turns freely without wobble and maintains a close running clearance with the sealing ring 74 through out its rotation.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitu-tes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A check out counter comprising an elongated support structure defining a grocery loading station at one end and a discharge station at the other end thereof, an endless conveyor unit in said structure for the delivery of groceries from said loading station to said discharge station, a generally circular bagging table portion positioned adjacent the discharge station of said structure to receive groceries therefrom, said bagging table portion having a grocery supporting shelf formed of sheet material, a reinforcing support plate for said shelf fixed to the lower surface thereof, shelf supporting arms extending outwardly from said plate and arranged with an upward inclination therefrom, and means fixing said shelf to said arms in conformity therewith providing for the stressed elevation of the periphery with respect to the center of the shelf for the support of groceries received from said belt at the periphery without deflection.

2. A check out counter comprising an elongated support structure defining a grocery loading station at one end and a discharge station at the other end thereof, an endless conveyor unit in said structure having a belt for the delivery of groceries from said loading station to said discharge station, a generally circular bagging table positioned adjacent the discharge station of said structure and having a rotatable shelf arranged to receive groceries from said belt, said shelf being formed of sheet material and having a reinforcing support plate fixed to the lower surface thereof, shelf supporting arms extending outwardly from said plate and arranged with an upward inclination therefrom, means fixing said shelf to said arms in conformity therewith providing for the stressed elevation of the periphery with respect to the center of the shelf for the support of groceries received from said belt at the periphery without deflection, and a bearing post in said bagging table rotatably supporting said shelf at said plate.

3. A check out counter comprising an elongated support structure defining a grocery loading station at one end and a discharge station at the other end thereof, an endless conveyor unit in said structure having a belt for the delivery of groceries from said loading station to said discharge station, a generally circular bagging table positioned adjacent the discharge station of said structure and having a rotatable shelf arranged to receive groceries from said belt, said shelf being formed of sheet material and having an hexagonal reinforcing support plate fixed to the lower surface thereof, shelf supporting angle iron arms extending outwardly from said plate from the sides thereof and arranged with an upward inclination therefrom, means fixing said shelf to the flat upper surface of said arms in conformity therewith providing for the stressed elevation of the periphery with respect to the center of the shelf for the support of groceries received from said belt at the periphery without deflection, and a beating post in said bagging table rotatably sup porting said shelf at said plate.

4. A check out counter comprising an elongated support structure defining a grocery loading station at one end and a discharge station at the other end thereof, an endless conveyor unit in said structure for the delivery of groceries from said loading station to said discharge station, a generally circular bagging table positioned adjacent the discharge station of said structure to receive groceries therefrom, said bagging table having a grocery supporting shelf formed of sheet material with a circumferential downwardly turned flange, a reinforcing support plate centrally fixed to the lower surface of said shelf and having a plurality of flat sides, shelf supporting arms fixed to said plate at said sides and extending outwardly therefrom and arranged with an upward inclination, means fixing said shelf to said arms in conformity therewith providing for the stressed elevation of 15 2,915,194

the periphery with respect to the center of the shelf for the support of groceries received from said belt at the periphery without deflection. a bearing post in said bagging table rotatably supporting said shelf at said plate, and a relatively fixed circumferential band extending above the surface of said shelf at said flange for the retention of groceries on said shelf.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,224,475 Logan May 1, 1917 2,631,689 Rubaloff Mar. 17, 1953 2,723,728 Crawford Nov. 15, 1955 Shoffner Dec. 1, 1959 

1. A CHECK OUT COUNTER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SUPPORT STRUCTURE DEFINING A GROCERY LOADING STATION AT ONE END AND A DISCHARGE STATION AT THE OTHER END THEREOF, AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR UNIT IN SAID STRUCTURE FOR THE DELIVERY OF GROCERIES FROM SAID LOADING STATION TO SAID DISCHARGE STATION, A GENERALLY CIRCULAR BAGGING TABLE PORTION POSITIONED ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE STATION OF SAID STRUCTURE TO RECEIVE GROCERIES THEREFROM, SAID BAGGING TABLE PORTION HAVING A GROCERY SUPPORTING SHELF FORMED OF SHEET MATERIAL, A REINFORCING SUPPORT PLATE FOR SAID SHELF FIXED TO THE LOWER SURFACE THEREOF, SHELF SUPPORTING ARMS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID PLATE AND ARRANGED WITH AN UPWARD INCLINATION THEREFROM, AND MEANS FIXING SAID SHELF TO SAID ARMS IN CONFORMITY THEREWITH PROVIDING FOR THE 